Celebrated composer Sir Peter Maxwell Davies has died at his home in Orkney, aged 81.

Sir Peter, famous for his haunting piano solo Farewell to Stromness, passed away after a long battle with leukaemia.

He was a former master of the Queen’s music and served as associate conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for a decade.

Despite his illness Sir Peter had been working on a new children’s opera with the London Symphony Orchestra, set to premier in June.

Sally Groves, a close friend and former creative director of Sir Peter's publisher Schott music, described him as “truly unique”.

She said: “He was a remarkable composer who created works of searing power, great symphonies, intense chamber music - works of truly universal popularity.

“A fierce fighter for music in the community and in education and on environmental issues. A man of invincible integrity, a true friend and a teller of truth to power.”

She added: “The last years - even when battling against the leukaemia which came on him so suddenly - were an Indian summer of wonderful, richly-imagined works.”

Sir Peter was knighted in 1987 and was master of the Queen’s music from 2004 and 2014, a position considered the musical equivalent of poet laureate. He was made a member of the Companions of Honour in 2014.

In February, Sir Peter was given the Royal Philharmonic Society’s highest honour in recognition of his “outstanding musicianship”.